Integrally designed and manufactured by Pakistani company Heavy Industry
Taxila since 2000, the Mohafiz light armoured vehicle in now showcased
in its third evolution at IDEAS 2014 exhibition, which is held from 1-4
December in Karachi, Pakistan. This new upgrade features i.a. an body
protection tested to meet B7 standards.

The Mohafiz-III
has an all-welded aluminium armour body that provides the occupants
with protection from small arms fire and shell splinters. The enhanced
armor now prodives protection against 7.62x51mm NATO, M80 NATO, M61
AP ammunition and has been tested to meet N.I.J. Standard 0108- 1 Level
IV and CEN EURO NORM 1063 B-7. The fully enclosed engine compartment
is at the front with the crew compartment extending to the rear.

The commander and driver are seated at the front and provided with bulletproof
windows to their front and a forward opening door with a bulletproof
window in the upper part either side. These bulletproof windows are
covered by wire mesh screens. The bulletproof windows provide the
same level of protection as the armoured hull.

The troop compartment is at the rear with the troops seated either side
on bench seats and enter the vehicle via a large door in the rear opening
to the right.

Bulletproof windows are provided in the sides and rear of the troop
compartment. Glasses are protected against B-7/N.I.J.- STD - 0108-1
Level IV standards and are duly coverted by steel mesh provided with
80% clarity. A total of 10 firing ports are provided to allow rifles
and other small arms to be used from within the vehicle. The upper parts
of the hull slope slightly inwards as does the hull rear.

Mounted on the forward part of the roof is a manually operated one person
turret with B-7 standard protection. The turret can be armed with a
7.62 mm machine gun and/or a tear gas grenade launcher and a two part
roof hatch which opens left and right. It has a demountable seat and
a 360° rotation. A remote controlled weapon system with 360°
rotation is also available in option.

To the immediate
rear of the turret are two forward opening roof hatches although the
design of the vehicle is flexible so that various types of roof hatch
arrangement are possible.

Standard equipment for the Mohafiz includes run flat tyres, a public
address system, powerful siren, powered steering and a searchlight operated
from within the vehicle. Other standard equipment includes lifting and
towing hooks, fire extinguisher, a new optimum air conditioning system
and run-flat tyres, which shall . Optional equipment includes various
communications equipment and alternative weapon fits.

The Mohafiz-III is powered by a water cooled turboI-Diesel, 8 cylinder,
4.2 litre engine coupled to a manual transmission with five forward
and one reverse gears and a two speed transfer case. It develops 200HP
at 3400 rpm. If required, a more powerful 4.5 litre diesel engine could
be installed to provide a higher power-to-weight ratio. Brake system
has been upgraded with hydraulic power assisted brakes, as well as new
heavy duty suspension.

Although the first example of the Mohafiz is based on a Toyota Land
Cruiser chassis, it could also be built on other 4 × 4 chassis.
This includes the Land Rover Defender 110 (4 × 4), which is already
in service with the Pakistani Army in large numbers.